This river otter was rescued after her mother was killed by a car on southern Vancouver Island.
Image Credit: Submitted/BCSPCA
June 17, 2020 - 1:00 PM
A month-old baby river otter was rescued after her mother was struck by a car near Sooke on southern Vancouver Island last week.
An eye witness saw cars stopping ahead of him and rescued the dazed but otherwise unhurt baby and took her to the B.C. SPCA Wild Animal Rehabilitation Centre in nearby Metchosin then went back to see if there were any other survivors.
“On arrival, the otter was dehydrated and quiet, which is not surprising given the traumatic incident she’d just been through,” Andrea Wallace, manager, wild animal welfare, said in a news release. “After some specialized meals and a quiet space to begin to recover, she is now starting to brighten up and behave like a normal young otter including growling and being wary of staff when they enter her enclosure. Our staff are covered head to toe in personal protective equipment to prevent imprinting and we’re glad it’s working.”
Since otters normally stay with their mothers for their first year of life, this little one will be in care for up to a year.
“Until then she will receive specialized care including a diet that mimics her mother’s milk and then foods she would find in the wild, as well as natural enrichment items and access to a pool to help her learn and develop necessary skills such as how to climb and swim,” Wallace said.
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